ECOWAS Vice-President Office Holds Staff Retreat to Strengthen Strategic Coordination and Performance

The Vice-President Office (VPO) of the ECOWAS Commission commenced a four-day staff retreat today at Zuma Rock Resort in Niger State, Nigeria, bringing together staff from across directorates and units to reflect, strategize, and enhance internal coordination and effectiveness.

The retreat, which runs from April 2 to 5, 2025, is designed to provide a collaborative platform for staff to align around the Office’s mandates, deepen institutional understanding, and collectively chart a roadmap for improved delivery and impact.

The opening sessions were facilitated by Mr. Musa Gbogboto, Director of Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (SPME), alongside Dr. Onyinye Nkechi Onwuka, Director of Early Warning. Both provided strategic guidance on the purpose of the retreat, emphasizing alignment, collaboration, and performance.

Dr. Onwuka also presented a recap of key outcomes from the previous OVP staff retreat, reinforcing the importance of continuity, reflection, and institutional learning.

A key highlight of the day was a presentation on the structure, functions, and current workstreams of the Office of the Vice-President, delivered by Mr. Raouf Salami, Executive Assistant to the Vice-President, offering staff a clear view of how the Office operates and how its efforts align with broader ECOWAS objectives.

The day also included a warm welcome to new staff memberswho have joined since the last OVP retreat, a presentation of the agenda, and a review of expected outcomes.

To prepare participants for the interactive sessions ahead, Mr. Ruben Johnson, from Human Capital Development (HCD), delivered a presentation on effective team-building skills. The session laid the foundation for the team-building activitiesscheduled for the following days, focusing on collaboration, communication, and the importance of mutual trust in achieving organizational goals.

A central part of Day 1 was the SWOT analysis exercise for the Office of the Vice-President (OVP), conducted through breakout sessions that encouraged open reflection on institutional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Group presentations that followed provided the basis for identifying shared priorities and developing a practical roadmap for improved performance.

The retreat continues over the next three days with team-building activities, presentations from directorates, and collaborative planning sessions aimed at reinforcing unity, accountability, and operational excellence.